Why Vladimir Putin won’t be arrested during the Alaska summit

Wednesday 13 August 2025 - 15:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Why Vladimir Putin won’t be arrested during the Alaska summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin, under an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant since 2023, will meet former U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska on August 15 to discuss Ukraine’s future. Despite being charged with war crimes, including the alleged unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children, Putin faces no risk of arrest on U.S. soil.

ICC jurisdiction and its limitations

Established by the Rome Statute in 1998 and operational since 2002, the ICC prosecutes grave crimes such as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of aggression. Currently recognized by 125 states, the ICC is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.

The ICC can issue arrest warrants for individuals suspected of such crimes and request cooperation from member states for arrests and extraditions. Article 27 of the Rome Statute emphasizes that official positions, such as head of state, do not exempt individuals from its jurisdiction. However, the ICC lacks enforcement powers, relying solely on member states to fulfill its mandates.

Why Putin is safe in Alaska

The United States and Russia have signed but never ratified the Rome Statute, meaning neither country is legally bound by the ICC’s rules or arrest warrants. This legal gap ensures Putin faces no threat of detention during his visit to Alaska.

This is not unprecedented. In September 2024, Putin visited Mongolia, a Rome Statute signatory, without incident. Despite the ICC’s criticism, Mongolia declined to arrest him, citing political and diplomatic considerations.

Broader implications: Netanyahu and the ICC

Putin is not the only world leader under ICC scrutiny. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been subject to an ICC arrest warrant since November 2023 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

However, Israel, like the United States and Russia, is not a Rome Statute member, shielding Netanyahu from ICC enforcement. This loophole has led to contentious situations, such as Netanyahu’s visits to Italy and Hungary in early 2025, where no arrests were made despite ICC obligations.

The issue of compliance extends beyond ICC member states. For instance, Netanyahu’s overflight of French airspace en route to the U.S. in April 2025 sparked significant backlash. Legal groups accused France of failing to honor its commitments to international law, though the French government defended its actions, citing Netanyahu’s immunity as a leader of a non-member state.

A summit overshadowed by legal and geopolitical tensions

The Alaska meeting between Trump and Putin, absent Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, underscores the complexities of international law enforcement and geopolitical diplomacy. While the ICC’s pursuit of justice remains significant, its enforcement limitations highlight the challenges of holding powerful leaders accountable on the global stage.